with pinky
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
""Friends are the family we choose."
Not sure whom that quote is attributed to, but it's true... Friends ARE the family we choose. Been thinking about that a lot, especially since the holidays are around the corner....
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
random pics from last week's trip to cali
Unfortunately, I was unable to get pics of Mica and Courtney, Dan, Cinder, Aileen, my family - esp. Lola Remy, and of myself with friends at the wedding... Next time!
Sunday, August 28, 2005
old hollywood charm with some spice...
Here are some pics from Taylor and Sunita's wedding this weekend... The venue was gorgeous (albeit a bit trendy)... Good to see NY friends out on the Coast!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
there are worst places to get stuck...
After a stressful summer back in NYC, I have to admit that it's really nice to be back in Hell-ay.
The weather is absolutely gorgeous, and I was tripping out over being able to see the moon up close on the drive back from Orange County to the Valley. It's been months since I've really looked up in the sky... Them darn skyscrapers and city lights keep getting in the way!
Started my trip on a fairly mellow note - chilling in front of my dad's HDTV, going shopping with mom and Aunt Rosemarie, spending some time with Lola Remy (the closest person to being a grandparent these days, she's on her way back to the Phils., so timing was perfect), endured the "Why aren't you married?" and "When will you have children?" discussion with all (Lola suggested that I start a prayer devotion to the Virgin Mary for help in that department), and had a good laugh with my parents over what I should wear to Taylor and Sunita's wedding this coming weekend. I showed off three different Indian outfits, and my dad was kidding that I probably don't want to end up looking like a Christmas tree (one of the skirts is green with gold and red beading).
I basically hijacked my mom's Mazda 626 for the remainder of the trip, so in return, I'm driving her to and from work the whole week. I dropped her off, then met up with Dan at his house to chat and discuss where his two little girls (with a third kid on the way) should go to elementary school. He's leaning toward my old alma mater - St. John Eudes, and was asking me about my early high school experience at Chaminade.... kinda took me back to place that I hadn't thought about in ages. He then turned the tables on me and yet again, I endured the "Why aren't you married?" and "When will you have children?" discussion, mixed in with the "Why don't you move back home?" debate. Gotta love Dan. He's such a good guy - totally devoted to his wife, kids, and living a clean and decent life. He still manages to fit in time to help coach high school football and try to raise funds for St. Gen's High School (where he and I both graduated), with little or no recognition.
After our visit, I drove two hours on the 405 during rush hour traffic to the O.C. to visit Debbie, a fellow Chami/Chatsworth survivor. She and her boyfriend live in Aliso Viejo, the next town over from Laguna Beach. To my delight, I found out that she recently took up going to the golf range, so she and I headed to Aliso Creek to hit a few buckets and relax a bit before we headed out to dinner in LB. We had fun walking around town, after having a nice dinner at this little Italian joint (not Pomodoro's which it seems every couple on the TV show ends up having dates or fights). Unfortunately, right before we had left the car, my mom's keychain fell apart. Deb thought she had put it together, but we discovered that we were missing the car key, thus locking ourselves out. Since I was not all too thrilled at the prospect of calling my mom to drive out with her spare keys (never mind that she's the only person in LA that I know that doesn't drive freeways), luckily, Deb had recently enrolled in Triple A so she called them (she's such the smart cookie!). As we waited, I was amazed that I wasn't having a "trizzy" fit -in true, total, neurotic, "let's go ballistic New Yorker" LT fashion. I guess there are worst places to get stuck than on a quaint little strip on South Coast Highway. We happened to have parked in front of this cute French bistro, ironically named "C'est la vie" so we grabbed some coffee and desserts, and continued to chat and laugh.
Today's agenda: yoga with Cindy F., lunch somewhere in Pasadena with Micki and her latest newborn (her third as well- folks like her and Dan are freaking me out!) , and sushi with Lisa, Heather, Polly, and Guy. Oh, and lastly, getting a new keychain for Mom.
The weather is absolutely gorgeous, and I was tripping out over being able to see the moon up close on the drive back from Orange County to the Valley. It's been months since I've really looked up in the sky... Them darn skyscrapers and city lights keep getting in the way!
Started my trip on a fairly mellow note - chilling in front of my dad's HDTV, going shopping with mom and Aunt Rosemarie, spending some time with Lola Remy (the closest person to being a grandparent these days, she's on her way back to the Phils., so timing was perfect), endured the "Why aren't you married?" and "When will you have children?" discussion with all (Lola suggested that I start a prayer devotion to the Virgin Mary for help in that department), and had a good laugh with my parents over what I should wear to Taylor and Sunita's wedding this coming weekend. I showed off three different Indian outfits, and my dad was kidding that I probably don't want to end up looking like a Christmas tree (one of the skirts is green with gold and red beading).
I basically hijacked my mom's Mazda 626 for the remainder of the trip, so in return, I'm driving her to and from work the whole week. I dropped her off, then met up with Dan at his house to chat and discuss where his two little girls (with a third kid on the way) should go to elementary school. He's leaning toward my old alma mater - St. John Eudes, and was asking me about my early high school experience at Chaminade.... kinda took me back to place that I hadn't thought about in ages. He then turned the tables on me and yet again, I endured the "Why aren't you married?" and "When will you have children?" discussion, mixed in with the "Why don't you move back home?" debate. Gotta love Dan. He's such a good guy - totally devoted to his wife, kids, and living a clean and decent life. He still manages to fit in time to help coach high school football and try to raise funds for St. Gen's High School (where he and I both graduated), with little or no recognition.
After our visit, I drove two hours on the 405 during rush hour traffic to the O.C. to visit Debbie, a fellow Chami/Chatsworth survivor. She and her boyfriend live in Aliso Viejo, the next town over from Laguna Beach. To my delight, I found out that she recently took up going to the golf range, so she and I headed to Aliso Creek to hit a few buckets and relax a bit before we headed out to dinner in LB. We had fun walking around town, after having a nice dinner at this little Italian joint (not Pomodoro's which it seems every couple on the TV show ends up having dates or fights). Unfortunately, right before we had left the car, my mom's keychain fell apart. Deb thought she had put it together, but we discovered that we were missing the car key, thus locking ourselves out. Since I was not all too thrilled at the prospect of calling my mom to drive out with her spare keys (never mind that she's the only person in LA that I know that doesn't drive freeways), luckily, Deb had recently enrolled in Triple A so she called them (she's such the smart cookie!). As we waited, I was amazed that I wasn't having a "trizzy" fit -in true, total, neurotic, "let's go ballistic New Yorker" LT fashion. I guess there are worst places to get stuck than on a quaint little strip on South Coast Highway. We happened to have parked in front of this cute French bistro, ironically named "C'est la vie" so we grabbed some coffee and desserts, and continued to chat and laugh.
Today's agenda: yoga with Cindy F., lunch somewhere in Pasadena with Micki and her latest newborn (her third as well- folks like her and Dan are freaking me out!) , and sushi with Lisa, Heather, Polly, and Guy. Oh, and lastly, getting a new keychain for Mom.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
32
Been thinking about a deal that I made with myself in regards to me and New York (as if the city were a person -- sheesh, now that's really a la Carrie/SATC). A lot of people set goals for themselves by the time that they reach a certain age.... "By the time, I'm 25, 30, 40.... I hope to.... (fill in the blank). " For me, that age is 32. Well, I'm 32 now and have 4 more months till it's time for me to make some big decisions about my life.
My feelings toward where I'm at in life right now are a bit ambivalent. I don't live my life rapt with regret or despair, but I am feeling a strong need for definition of who I am and where I want to be, and I need to be true to myself instead of meandering in denial. I'm very fortunate to have lived the life that I've lived, and there are few experiences and decisions that I regret. I must admit that I feel a bit detached here in New York. It's probably self-imposed (and heck, that's what happens when one becomes overly self-involved or indulgent).
Me not being a social hermit, I've found that when I hang out with friends - people I've known for years - I'm not enjoying it as much as I'd think I would. Hoping that I'm going through a phase. I don't know what the right "next steps" should be, but I'm trying to figure it out.
Work-wise, things are good - headed in the right direction, I think. Personally, I've encountered some new folks and developing interests, but I still feel somewhat lacking. I wonder if I'm merely putting off the inevitable...
Some positive things on the horizon... After busting my ass the past few months, I'll get a bit of a reprieve this week at work. My boss is in Asia all week, and fingers are crossed that I can relax and re-focus. I have a 4-day work week ahead. Friday, I get to be treated to a spa day over at Bliss (courtesy of the job), Saturday's K's bridal shower, then I'm off to Cali to hang out at home with life-long friends and maybe check out my parents' new retirement home during a side-trip to Vegas. The following weekend should be fun as New York blends in with Cali as me, Su, Sach, and James join Taylor in celebrating his wedding -- envisioning Bollywood/old school Hollywood at The Roosevelt.
Looking forward to this end of summer (and hopefully relief from this sweltering heat!)... Oh and... maybe, just maybe.... I'll be able to ..... focus, focus, focus... on real priorities.
My feelings toward where I'm at in life right now are a bit ambivalent. I don't live my life rapt with regret or despair, but I am feeling a strong need for definition of who I am and where I want to be, and I need to be true to myself instead of meandering in denial. I'm very fortunate to have lived the life that I've lived, and there are few experiences and decisions that I regret. I must admit that I feel a bit detached here in New York. It's probably self-imposed (and heck, that's what happens when one becomes overly self-involved or indulgent).
Me not being a social hermit, I've found that when I hang out with friends - people I've known for years - I'm not enjoying it as much as I'd think I would. Hoping that I'm going through a phase. I don't know what the right "next steps" should be, but I'm trying to figure it out.
Work-wise, things are good - headed in the right direction, I think. Personally, I've encountered some new folks and developing interests, but I still feel somewhat lacking. I wonder if I'm merely putting off the inevitable...
Some positive things on the horizon... After busting my ass the past few months, I'll get a bit of a reprieve this week at work. My boss is in Asia all week, and fingers are crossed that I can relax and re-focus. I have a 4-day work week ahead. Friday, I get to be treated to a spa day over at Bliss (courtesy of the job), Saturday's K's bridal shower, then I'm off to Cali to hang out at home with life-long friends and maybe check out my parents' new retirement home during a side-trip to Vegas. The following weekend should be fun as New York blends in with Cali as me, Su, Sach, and James join Taylor in celebrating his wedding -- envisioning Bollywood/old school Hollywood at The Roosevelt.
Looking forward to this end of summer (and hopefully relief from this sweltering heat!)... Oh and... maybe, just maybe.... I'll be able to ..... focus, focus, focus... on real priorities.
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